Skanska-sponsored global study shows that energy use in buildings can be cut 60 percent by 2050

Today, buildings use more energy than any other sector in the world - approximately 38 percent of the global energy use compared with 33 percent for industry and 26 percent for transportation sectors. But if a major, coordinated and global effort is launched, it would be possible to cut energy use in buildings 60 percent by 2050 and arrive at a situation in which buildings produce or recover as much energy as they consume.

These are among the major findings in a new research report, “Transforming the Market: Energy Efficiency in Buildings,” released April 27 by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). This is the most rigorous study ever conducted on the subject and the findings apply to both existing and new building stock. Skanska is one of 14 global companies behind this report and is the only Nordic participant and the only construction company involved in the study.